Resemblances in the early development of two sea urchins: Toxopneustes roseus (Euechinoidea: Echinacea) and Rhyncholampas pacificus (Euechinoidea: Irregularia) from different habitats in the southern Mexican Pacific.

Sea urchins play a key role in the marine environment, contributing to maintain a balance in benthic ecosystems. Toxopneustes roseus acts as a regulator of rhodolith beds and is a key species as a bioturbation promoter, while Rhyncholampas pacificus moderates the detritus content of sediment through various mechanisms and contributes to accelerating the circulation of organic matter. However, nothing is known about their early development, so the objective of this research is to characterize the embryonic and larval development of specimens of the two species from the southern Mexican Pacific and identify the causes that produce their differences. The embryonic development of T. roseus lasted approximately 20 â€‹h; the echinopluteus larva appeared at 23 â€‹h and culminated in around 12 days with an eight-armed larva. Metamorphosis was reached at 18 days. The embryonic development of R. pacificus lasted about 15 â€‹h; the larva emerged at 20 â€‹h and culminated in about two days with an eight-armed larva. The metamorphosis was completed in 9 days. The reproductive output of both species determines their development time and the structure of their larvae; therefore, the energy of R. pacificus is invested in reaching metamorphosis earlier to ensure that its larvae, which are not very abundant, settle and recruit to the population. Regarding T. roseus, the longest permanence in the plankton is efficiently maintained by its numerous larvae through the presence of mobile arms and the shift of the swimming function to the epauletes. This is the first work that characterizes the early development of a species of the genus Toxopneustes and of the only living species of the genus Ryncholampas. The information generated in this work is essential to gaining knowledge about these groups of echinoids, especially the effect of the environment on their early development.

Neurobiology of Dream Activity and Effects of Stimulants on Dream.

The sleep-wake cycle is the result of the activity of multiple neurobiological network interactions. The dreaming feature is one interesting sleep on that represents sensorial components, mostly visual perceptions, accompaniedby intense emotions. Further complexity has been added to the topic of the neurobiological mechanism of dream generation by the current data suggesting drugs' influence on dream generation. Here, we discuss the review of some of the neurobiological mechanisms of the regulation of dream activity, with special emphasis on the effects of stimulants on dreaming.

Juvenile cannabidiol chronic treatments produce robust changes in metabolic markers in adult male Wistar rats.

The use of cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychotropic compound derived from Cannabis sativa, for therapeutic purposes is growing exponentially by targeting the management of multiple medical disorders, including metabolic-related diseases. Nevertheless, substantial questions have emerged in concerning the potential metabolic disturbances in adulthood as consequence of the long-term uses of CBD during early years of life. Therefore, we studied whether chronic CBD injections (5, 10 or 30 mg/kg; i.p.) given to juvenile rats (from post-natal day [PND] 30) for 14 days might influence in adulthood the activity of metabolic markers, such as glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides as well as activity of antioxidants (DPPH) from plasma, white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), liver, and hypothalamus. Our results showed that adult rats treated during juvenile ages with CBD (5, 10 or 30 mg/kg) for two weeks increased the contents of glucose whereas with no changes on total cholesterol in adulthood were observed. Additionally, a significant decrease in the levels of triglycerides were found in plasma, WAT, BAT, and liver in adult rats treated with chronic injections of CBD during the adolescence. However, unexpectedly, the contents of triglycerides in hypothalamus were found enhanced. Finally, the DPPH assay showed a significant enhancement in triglycerides analyzed from WAT and liver whereas opposite findings were observed in BAT and no significant changes were found in hypothalamus in adult rats that received during the adolescence chronic injections of CBD. In conclusion, repeated CBD administration to juvenile rats induced significant alterations in multiple metabolic markers analyzed in the adulthood. Our findings highlight the relevance of chronic CBD treatment in disturbed metabolic activity and remark the need for studying the underlying mechanisms involved.

The synthetic CB1 cannabinoid receptor selective agonists: Putative medical uses and their legalization.

More than 500 molecules have been identified as components of Cannabis sativa (C. sativa), of which the most studied is Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). Several studies have suggested that Δ9-THC exerts diverse biological effects, ranging from fragmentation of DNA to behavioral disruptions. Currently, it is accepted that most of the pharmacological properties of Δ9-THC engage the activation of the cannabinoid receptors, named CB1 and CB2. Interestingly, multiple pieces of evidence have suggested that the cannabinoid receptors play an active role in the modulation of several diseases leading to the design of synthetic cannabinoid-like compounds. Advances in the development of synthetic CB1 cannabinoid receptor selective agonists as therapeutical approaches are, however, limited. This review focuses on available evidence searched in PubMed regarding the synthetic CB1 cannabinoid receptor selective agonists such as AM-1235, arachidonyl-2' chloroethylamide (ACEA), CP 50,556-1 (Levonantradol), CP-55,940, HU-210, JWH-007, JWH-018, JWH-200 (WIN 55,225), methanandamide, nabilone, O-1812, UR-144, WIN 55,212-2, nabiximols, and dronabinol. Indeed, it would be ambitious to describe all available evidence related to the synthetic CB1 cannabinoid receptor selective agonists. However, and despite the positive evidence on the positive results of using these compounds in experimental models of health disturbances and preclinical trials, we discuss evidence in regards some concerns due to side effects.

Aplicación de índices filogenéticos para la definición de prioridades de conservación en los páramos del noroeste de los Andes / Application of phylogenetic indices in the definition of conservation priorities in the northwest Andes paramos

Resumen Los páramos son ecosistemas andinos de alta montaña, que albergan una biota diversa y de alta endemicidad, producto de las condiciones ambientales extremas. Se utilizaron diferentes índices para definir prioridades de conservación en las áreas de páramo del departamento de Antioquia, Colombia; con base en medidas de la individualidad evolutiva y complementariedad de biotas. Para realizar los análisis se generó una base de datos que incluyó 416 táxones de angiospermas y 1 951 localidades, para un total de 12 897 registros de distribución, compilados a partir de los muestreos y revisiones realizados en este proyecto; adicionalmente se incluyó la información disponible en Global Biodiversity Information Facility y en el Sistema de Información sobre Biodiversidad de Colombia. A partir de estos datos se identificaron áreas de prioridad para la conservación de los páramos de Antioquia, de acuerdo con medidas de la individualidad evolutiva basadas en nodos y complementariedad de biotas. Teniendo en cuenta solamente los índices de individualidad evolutiva, el páramo prioritario para la conservación fue Frontino-Urrao, seguido de Farallones de Citará; pero si se considera la complementariedad de biotas, la segunda área prioritaria para la conservación es Sonsón. Las clasificaciones de prioridad de áreas basadas en individualidad son congruentes con las áreas de mayor riqueza de especies. Es necesario y urgente preservar el ecosistema páramo dado su vulnerabilidad y la subsecuente perdida de los servicios ecosistémicos que brindan, si se ven expuestos a la degradación o desaparición.(AU)

Abstract Páramos are High Andean ecosystems that harbor a diverse biota and have high endemicity, because of their extreme environmental conditions. We used different phylogenetic indices to define conservation priorities in the paramos of the department of Antioquia, Colombia, based on measures of their evolutionary individuality and richness complimentary. To perform the analyses, we generated a database including 416 angiosperm taxa and 1 951 localities for a total of 12 897 distributional records compiled from surveys and reviews. Additionally, the available information in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and the Colombian Biodiversity Information System were included. From these data, priority areas for the conservation of the paramos located in the state of Antioquia were identified, using measures of evolutionary individuality based on nodes and biotic complementarity. Taking into account only the individual phylogenetic indices, the most important paramo for conservation was Frontino-Urrao, followed by Farallones de Citará. If biotic complementarity is considered, the second most important paramo is Sonsón. Priority classifications of areas based on individuality are congruent with areas of greatest species richness. We conclude that it is necessary and urgent to preserve the paramos given their vulnerability and the subsequent loss of the ecosystem services that they provide, if they are exposed to degradation or disappearance.(AU)